SHENZHEN, China and NAIROBI, Kenya -- ZTE Corporation, a global provider of telecommunications equipment, network solutions and mobile devices and Bharti Airtel (“Airtel”), a leading telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, today announced that they have won the Best Cost Efficiency Initiative Award at the Africa Com Awards held in Cape Town, South Africa for their Hybrid Power Solution.

ZTE’s Solar+DG Hybrid Power Solution is a green energy solution specially designed for Bharti Airtel Africa base station sites. The solution significantly reduces the use of Diesel Generators by almost 80%. It efficiently utilizes solar power alongside existing diesel therefore optimizing initial investment on CAPEX. Compared with traditional hybrid solutions, this new hybrid solution enhances the consistency of power supply of the sites and provides Airtel with a flexible investment strategy. It especially reduces carbon emission in addition to OPEX savings. By going green with ZTE’s solution, Airtel benefits from the perfect balance between Operating Expense Saving and Capital Expenditure whilst greatly contributing to environmental protection.

Amitabh Prasad, Airtel’s Director of Supply Chain Management in Africa said “Airtel is committed to making telecom affordable across Africa on a sustainable basis. ZTE did a great job in implementing the Solar Hybrid solution. We have started to reap benefits from our investment both in terms of fuel savings and environment protection, which is a real win-win for all of us.”

ZTE Corp.